My parents place a high value on being educated and being kind. Above all, they expect me to work hard at becoming educated and to treat others with compassion and acceptance. Throughout my life they have taught me about these important aspects by allowing me to be open in conversations and being role models of how to treat others. They emphasize these aspects because they believe that these are keys to living a happy and satisfying life.
My parents are also what society would consider a multiracial couple. At the time that they were married this was a big deal. I was not aware that I was different until one day when my dad brought my lunch to school because I had forgotten it. After my dad delivered the lunch, a classmate asked me, “Who was that man?” I told me that my dad had given me my lunch. He replied, “that’s not your dad, you can’t have a black dad.” I couldn’t understand what he meant at the time. I went home and cried to my parents because I thought I was adopted.
Many instances like this one have happened throughout m life. It has made me aware of deep racial prejudice that exists, and I realize that I am socially privilege simply because I turned out with skin that looks more like my mother’s.
When I was 10 years old, my mother, father and I moved back to Trinidad and Tobago, where my father grew up. During the time I lived there, I experienced a culture shock. First of all, I was a minority. Not only was I a foreign American with a funny accent, but also I was white. Although I personally thought that I was just like everyone else, I stuck out like a sore thumb because of the way that I looked and spoke.
Another experience I had during this time was my experience with Slipped Captial Femoral Epiphysis. It is a bone disorder that had appeared when I was 11 years old, that prevented the cartilage around my femur and pelvis from forming. It happens most often to overweight children (which I was). I had to have a lengthy surgery in order to stabilize my hips so that I could walk. My entire extended family chipped in to fly me to Boston Children’s Hospital in order to have my operation. After my operation, I decided to make some huge life changes for myself. I stopped eating junk food and I jumped on the fitness track to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
When I returned to Rhode Island for high school, I realized what valuable experiences I had while living in Trinidad. I had knowledge of culture that I could not explain to someone who has lived in one area for most of his or her life. I had experienced a massive, life-altering surgery. I had developed a massive sense of empathy for others and a blossoming appreciation for the education that I received.
My academic life and personal life are not two separate entities. I spent most of my time in school during the day, and learning became something akin to breathing for me. I want to instill this sense of wonder about the world in other people so that they too can live happy and satisfying lives.
My parents are also what society would consider a multiracial couple. At the time that they were married this was a big deal. I was not aware that I was different until one day when my dad brought my lunch to school because I had forgotten it. After my dad delivered the lunch, a classmate asked me, “Who was that man?” I told me that my dad had given me my lunch. He replied, “that’s not your dad, you can’t have a black dad.” I couldn’t understand what he meant at the time. I went home and cried to my parents because I thought I was adopted.
Many instances like this one have happened throughout m life. It has made me aware of deep racial prejudice that exists, and I realize that I am socially privilege simply because I turned out with skin that looks more like my mother’s.
When I was 10 years old, my mother, father and I moved back to Trinidad and Tobago, where my father grew up. During the time I lived there, I experienced a culture shock. First of all, I was a minority. Not only was I a foreign American with a funny accent, but also I was white. Although I personally thought that I was just like everyone else, I stuck out like a sore thumb because of the way that I looked and spoke.
Another experience I had during this time was my experience with Slipped Captial Femoral Epiphysis. It is a bone disorder that had appeared when I was 11 years old, that prevented the cartilage around my femur and pelvis from forming. It happens most often to overweight children (which I was). I had to have a lengthy surgery in order to stabilize my hips so that I could walk. My entire extended family chipped in to fly me to Boston Children’s Hospital in order to have my operation. After my operation, I decided to make some huge life changes for myself. I stopped eating junk food and I jumped on the fitness track to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
When I returned to Rhode Island for high school, I realized what valuable experiences I had while living in Trinidad. I had knowledge of culture that I could not explain to someone who has lived in one area for most of his or her life. I had experienced a massive, life-altering surgery. I had developed a massive sense of empathy for others and a blossoming appreciation for the education that I received.
My academic life and personal life are not two separate entities. I spent most of my time in school during the day, and learning became something akin to breathing for me. I want to instill this sense of wonder about the world in other people so that they too can live happy and satisfying lives.